UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A U.S.-based advocacy group says 98 girls in Central African Republic have reported that they were sexually abused by international peacekeepers and that three girls told U.N. staff they were tied up, undressed and forced to have sex with a dog by a French military commander in 2014.

 

AIDS-Free World's Code Blue Campaign to end sexual abuse said late Wednesday the three girls told the U.N. that a fourth girl tied up with them later died of an unknown disease.

 

The group said the information it received — including the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl on Monday — is in the hands of senior U.N. officials.

 

The U.N. confirmed a team is investigating new allegations.

 

The United Nations has been in the spotlight over reported sexual abuses by its peacekeepers.